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Please check back soon. View Poll Archives Adrick's Top 10 Expanded Universe Works Posted By Adrick on February 4, 2008 As Paul promised here is my own, personal count-down of my personal favorite Expanded Universe works! 10 Galactic Battlegrounds Video games are an important part of the EU, but for the most part, they’re inaccessible to me. I don’t have the time, the patience, the money, or the hardware it takes to run the greatest Star Wars games. Galactic Battlegrounds is different, though. I can easily handle the strategic challenges thrown my way in the campaigns, and I love competing with my brother in multiplayer mode—even if he always wins. The storyline is good, and generally fits into the larger EU well. (This is something the Empire at War folks could have learned from.) Best part of the game? Simon the Killer Ewok. 9 Cloak of Deception Perhaps James Luceno’s best Star Wars novel, Cloak of Deception is definitely an EU masterpiece. It integrates established EU locations and characters into a political thriller that showcases Palpatine’s manipulations and provides the background for The Phantom Menace. And just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, Luceno adds a shocking surprise ending! 8 The New Essential Guides The old Essential Guides were great for their times, and sill have lots of useful information…but the new Guides are absolutely spectacular! The sheer amount of sources grows impressively with each book, both as new stories are released and older ones gain credibility. Although there have been a few lackluster volumes, most provide excellent art with brand new information and plenty of continuity fixes to keep the sometimes disparate sources in line with one another. 7 Evil Never Dies And uh, speaking of continuity fixes…Abel G. Peñ is a master of continuity, who routinely balances retcons with storytelling and new information. He hasn’t written any novels, but recently his works have become very influential in setting up characters for future books. Peñ’s Sith guide is his masterpiece, filling in the gaps in Sith history, describing Sith Lords only barely mentioned before, and even providing a reasonable explanation for the Sith’s continued existence. 6 X-Wing: Wraith Squadron Wildly different in tone than anything that came before, Aaron Allston’s Wraith Squadron books balance over-the-top humor—the stuffed Ewok gag is legendary—with a sense of danger that was new for Star Wars novels. Any of his characters could be killed off, and several of my favorites were. Allston also tied his books directly into the older Courtship of Princess Leia, and even explained a major inconsistency with that novel to boot. My favorite part? While posing as an Imperial crew, undercover Wraith Squadron devises a wacky-but-effective solution to avoid meeting another Imperial crew face-to-face that you have to read to believe. 5 Tales Of/From... Turning background extras into main characters is a staple of the EU, and it’s never been done better than in the Tales collections. A whole slew of talented authors—some of whom were not the usual stock Star Wars writers—contributed to these three books, one for each of the movies. Two of the best Boba Fett stories ever written can be found here, along with some highly entertaining adventures of the cantina band. The quality and variety of stories and authors in these stories can’t be found anywhere else. 4 Star Tours Star Tours combines two of my favorite things: Star Wars and Walt Disney World. You wouldn’t expect to find a Star Wars ride here, but it definitely work. Disney's animatronics bring the droids of Star Wars to life--where else can you see a C-3PO that really is a robot? Walking into the queue area of Star Tours is like walking into a Star Wars movie, and while the simulator isn’t exactly intense, the shaking and soaring feel just like what you see onscreen. Amazing! 3 The Thrawn Trilogy What can I say here that others haven’t? Even though it took me three years to finish, the Thrawn Trilogy was one of the first EU series I read. It still stands as my favorite novel trilogy. 2 The Jude Watson-verse Ah, but before I started reading the rest of the Expanded Universe, I had already discovered Watson’s Jedi Apprenticeseries. In the post-ROTS era it’s hard not to look back on a time when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were solving mysteries and undertaking “aggressive negotiations” without a definite sense of nostalgia. Although Apprentice ended after eighteen books (and two special editions) it really continued on in Watson’s two follow-up series, Jedi Quest and Last of the Jedi (the latter of which is still ongoing.) Add to that her classic Legacy of the Jedi, Secrets of the Jedi, and her pre-Apprentice works (the Journals and Science Adventures) and you have one of the largest and most impressive EU contributions by a single author. 1 Classic Star Wars Although there are many works set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson’s excellent newspaper comic stories have long been considered the definitive bridge between the two. Goodwin had previously written stories for Marvel’s Star Wars comic line, but here he had the advantage of working with material from the newly-released Empire. Thus, we not only have typical high space adventure stories involving flying snakes and a half-dressed pirate queen, we also see the backstories for many events in Empire: the bounty hunter of Ord Mantell, the discovery of Hoth, the evacuation of Yavin, and the launch of the Executor. Years after the series had concluded, Dark Horse teamed with Al Williamson to colorize the daily strips and add new artwork, turning the hard-to-find newspaper strips into full-blown comics. Great art, terrific writing--the EU hasn’t been this much fun since. Those are my favorites so far…and I look forward to finding more! email this story discuss in forums Select Date 2009, November 2009, October 2009, September 2009, August 2009, July 2009, June 2009, May 2009, April 2009, March 2009, February 2009, January 2008, December 2008, November 2008, October 2008, September 2008, August 2008, July 2008, June 2008, May 2008, April 2008, March 2008, February 2008, January 2007, December 2007, November 2007, October 2007, September 2007, August 2007, July 2007, June 2007, May 2007, April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2006, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, September 2006, August 2006, July 2006, June 2006, May 2006, April 2006, March 2006, February 2006, January 2005, December 2005, November 2005, October 2005, September 2005, August 2005, July 2005, June 2005, May 2005, April 2005, March 2005, February 2005, January 2004, December 2004, November 2004, October 2004, September 2004, August 2004, July 2004, June 2004, May 2004, April 2004, March 2004, February 2004, January 2003, December 2003, November 2003, October 2003, September 2003, August 2003, July 2003, June 2003, May 2003, April 2003, March 2003, February 2003, January 2002, December 2002, November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, August 2002, July 2002, June 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002, February 2002, January 2001, December 2001, November 2001, October 2001, September 2001, August 2001, July 2001, June 2001, May 2001, April 2001, March 2001, February 2001, January 2000, December 2000, November 2000, October 2000, September 2000, August 2000, July 2000, June 2000, May 2000, April 2000, March 2000, February 2000, January 1999, December 1999, November 1999, October 1999, September 1999, August 1999, July 1999, June 1999, May 1999, April 1999, March 1999, February 1999, January 1998, December 1998, November 1998, October 1998, July 1998, June Joe Schreiber Signing In Tulsa, OK Posted By Mike on November 7, 2009: One more stop on the Death Troopers Tour New Release Date For The Complete Vader Posted By Mike on November 7, 2009: Those printing errors created quite the delay Karpyshyn Blogs On Bane & More Posted By Mike on November 7, 2009: Dynasty of Evil comes out next month! New Han & Chewie Youngling Book Series? Posted By Mike on November 4, 2009: Updated! SW.com confirmation & Windham Q&A More Juvie TCW Books On The Way Posted By Mike on November 4, 2009: From Amazon and Penguin's winter catalog Sean Williams To Pen TOR Novel? Posted By Mike on November 4, 2009: Updated! A couple updates on the new book Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle Posted By Mike on November 4, 2009: Updated! Announcement now up at SW.com Art Of SW: TCW Concept Art Images Posted By Mike on November 4, 2009: With Ahsoka, Mace, R2 and more! The Book Discusion Group Strikes Back! Posted By Paul on November 1, 2009: Now reading: Rogue Squadron... More Info On George Lucas Blockbusting Book Posted By Mike on October 31, 2009: Updated! Cover art & an ebook version Imperial Commando: 501st In Stores Now Posted By Mike on October 27, 2009: Read Traviss & SW while you still can! Death Troopers Fan Video Winner Announced Posted By Mike on October 27, 2009: And it's now Zombie Week at Suvudu! TCW: Gambit Duology Release Date Revisions Posted By Mike on October 26, 2009: Still due out next year by Karen Miller Is FOTJ: Backlash Gonna Be Delayed Again? Posted By Mike on October 25, 2009: Looks like it, but only by a month Death Troopers On A Couple Best Seller Lists Posted By Mike on October 25, 2009: New York Times and Publisher's Weekly A Few EU Interviews From Around The Web Posted By Mike on October 24, 2009: Allston, Chee, Peña and Stackpole Back Cover Revealed For FOTJ: Backlash Posted By Mike on October 23, 2009: Along with a plot summary at the main site The Complete Vader Released Date Postponed Posted By Mike on October 22, 2009: No new date yet, but we'll keep you posted! New Star Wars DK Readers Posted By Mike on October 21, 2009: Youngling titles show up on Amazon Star Wars: A Scanimation Book Posted By Mike on October 18, 2009: Listed on Amazon by Rufus Butler Seder Death Troopers And Zombie Week At SW.com Posted By Mike on October 18, 2009: Updated! Joe Schreiber interview FOTJ Paperback Size Matters Not Posted By Mike on October 17, 2009: Updated! But does it matter to your wallet? Abel G. Pena Interview Posted By JF on October 15, 2009: Fan-favorite Star Wars author! Jedi Journal Books: Death Troopers On Sale! Posted By Jay on October 14, 2009: Get your zombie fix on! Fate of the Jedi: Allies Uncovered At SW.com Posted By Mike on October 14, 2009: Who's that dude with a red lightsaber? Crosscurrent Dramatis Personae Online Posted By Mike on October 13, 2009: Posted on Paul S. Kemp's blog A Couple TCW Youngling Book Updates Posted By Mike on October 12, 2009: What's new on Amazon today? Joe Schreiber's Death Troopers Book Tour Posted By Mike on October 12, 2009: Updated! Kicks off tomorrow! Glimpses Of Star Wars: Visions Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Mysterious 2010 project... New Star Wars Sounds Book On The Way! Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Updated! Announcement now up at SW.com Stormtrooper Tweets From Star Destroyer Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Updated! I have a bad feeling about this! Death Troopers Fan Video Re-Voting Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Voting so nice they're doing it twice! DK Reader's Stand Aside - Bounty Hunters! Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Level 2 TCW youngling book on the way! Scholastic's Star Wars: Head To Head Posted By Mike on October 8, 2009: Updated! Announcement now at SW.com Ten Years Ago: The New Jedi Order Posted By Wes on October 5, 2009: Vector Prime and Chewbacca Remembered. KOTOR Novel Tidbits From Alex Irvine Posted By Mike on October 3, 2009: Does the name Sunrider mean anything? Rebel Force #6 Gets A Title Posted By Mike on October 3, 2009: And a summary's now up at Amazon Death Troopers: The Trailers! Posted By Paul on October 1, 2009: Vote now for your favourite video... Bohnhoff, Sci-Fi, Star Wars & Philosophy Posted By Mike on September 30, 2009: Check out A Padawan's Journal Entry #30! Rostoni Confirms Crosscurrent Sequel Posted By Mike on September 30, 2009: And updates her release schedule! Sansweet Talks Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles Posted By Mike on September 29, 2009: New book to be released on November 17th! Paul Kemp To Pen Crosscurrent Follow-Up Posted By Mike on September 28, 2009: Jaden Korr is happy, if he makes it there... Schreiber Shares His Death Troopers Journals Posted By Mike on September 26, 2009: Novel due out in just a couple weeks! "CONTINUUM" - A Book By Tim Dry Posted By Chris on September 25, 2009: New ebook from Return of the Jedi actor A Couple Hyperspace Fiction Reprints Online Posted By Mike on September 23, 2009: For your viewing pleasure at SW.com Bonhoff Discusses Star Wars & Music Posted By Mike on September 23, 2009: Musical parody to be specific! Decide Your Destiny TCW Trailer Posted By Mike on September 22, 2009: Yet another trailer up at SW.com Views Inside Draw Star Wars: TCW Posted By Mike on September 22, 2009: Updated! Trailer now online at SW.com! TCW: Decide Your Destiny: Crisis On Coruscant Posted By Mike on September 19, 2009: Author and book details revealed Death Troopers Excerpt Online At SW.com Posted By Mike on September 19, 2009: Less than a month away from the release! Bohnhoff Touches On SW & American Culture Posted By Mike on September 16, 2009: In her latest entry to A Padawan's Journal TCW Japanese Magna Books Posted By Mike on September 16, 2009: Get a peak at SW.com SW.com Interviews Complete Vader Authors Posted By Mike on September 16, 2009: Windham and Vilmur talk their upcoming book Short Blurb For Clone Wars Gambit: Siege Posted By Mike on September 15, 2009: Book 2 of Karen Miller's TCW duology Clone Commander Training Manual Posted By Justin on September 12, 2009: Become a lean, mean, fighting machine! Holostar's Bohnhoff Blogs On SW Knowledge Posted By Mike on September 12, 2009: References, references and more references! More Essential Atlas Fun At Starwars.com Posted By Mike on September 12, 2009: Updated! Check out the Outer Rim Sectors Jedi Journals: Death Troopers Book Tour & More Posted By Jay on September 10, 2009: Coming to your neighborhood in October! Death Troopers: Purge Letters!!!! Posted By Paul on September 10, 2009: A transmission from the prison barge Purge... SW: TCW Character Enclyclopedia? Posted By Mike on September 9, 2009: Well, its listed on Amazon... First Death Troopers Review Up At Fangoria Posted By Mike on September 8, 2009: Horror site reviews a horror Star Wars novel Death Troopers Soundtrack Posted By Justin on September 6, 2009: Well... if it DID have a soundtrack Dragon*Con EU Panel Report Posted By Mike on September 6, 2009: Kevin J. Anderson resentful of Star Wars? Jedi Journal Books: Other Releases Posted By Jay on September 6, 2009: This week had a whole mess of new books! Enter Email Address: Find Out More... AllPosters.com Search For Posters, Cardboard Stand-Ups & T-Shirts! THEFORCE.NET IS NOT ENDORSED BY LUCASFILM, LTD. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER. © 2009 COPYRIGHT TF.N, LLC